Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Wow. I can't even imagine working 1532 contacts in 24 hours. If, in fact, you stayed awake for 24 hours straight, that would have meant you maintained a 64 Q per hour rate for the duration. That's an incredible run for *any* contest. Congratulations, sir! Yeah, I let my frustration out on the air when I probably shouldn't have... but the guy matched me rude-for-rude, that's for sure, and I've already explained that he was not a newbie. Not only is it against the rules to fail to identify, it's actually detrimental to him because he makes people wait a long time to hear his call sign, and that undoubtedly leads to lost contacts as people give up waiting and leave. He (and the others) shoulda known better. The only reason I continue to operate SSB on Field Day is because my two sons operate with me and, since they don't know CW, this allows them to participate with me, which so far has made it worth putting up with the circumstances I complain about. We again used the K2... the all-time, world's finest Field Day rig. Absolutely, flawlessly wonderful. Al W6LX >>>But looking back some years I operated either 1E or >>>1D and single-handedly worked 1040 Qs in 2001, 1357 in 2004, 1532 in 2005, >>>1093 >>>in 2007 and slowed down to 1075 in 2009. All on SSB and 100W. With a >>>regular >>>logging program and no voice recording. >>>Wes N7WS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
On 2023-06-26 17:32, Jim Brown wrote: On 6/26/2023 4:08 PM, Wes wrote: You simply have to be nice to the inexperience operators and coach them along. It's far more than that -- far too many stations run high power. *** Didn't they make a rule this year that everybody's limited to 100W? - Jerry, KF6VB We added an SSB station one year from a 5,000 ft peak; it was a complete exercise in frustration. CW is FAR more effective under crowded band conditions. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to je...@tr2.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
On 6/26/2023 4:08 PM, Wes wrote: You simply have to be nice to the inexperience operators and coach them along. It's far more than that -- far too many stations run high power. We added an SSB station one year from a 5,000 ft peak; it was a complete exercise in frustration. CW is FAR more effective under crowded band conditions. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4 Rx is awesome...
On 6/26/2023 2:01 PM, Jan wrote: The K4/at is a delight to operate anytime; this last weekend it was used Thanks to the hundred that I had exchanges with 73, Jan K1ND PS: At 86 years of age it was fun! At W6BX, W6JTI and I, also octogenarians, worked you on at least one band. We were QRP with a K3/P3/SVGA, with the entire station on battery power. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
On 6/26/2023 12:24 PM, W3AB/GEO wrote: A good product line at a good price. Used his products in the past. Very satisfied. https://w2ihy.com/product-category/equalizers/ Good to know that they're good quality, but I firmly agree with W4TV that they're a great example of a "fool and his money" with EQ as good as what's in Elecraft rigs beginning with the K3. Speech compression is also pretty good in these rigs, especially designed for ham radio, so outboard gear designed for high quality audio doesn't make sense either -- they're designed to announcers and singers sound great through high quality sound systems with 20 kHz bandwidth, not on 400 Hz to 3 kHz ham rigs. That money would be FAR better spent on the antenna system! 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
I strongly agree with Joe. Both of us have broadcast experience, after that, I spent most of my life in pro audio. And I've been a ham for 67 years. Not to be interpreted as set in my ways -- far from it, I was an early adopter of WSJT modes about 10 years ago. My only minor difference with Joe is that I'd also do max cut at 200 Hz for SSB and 6 dB cut of 400 Hz. Agree, no more than 3-6 dB boost of the top two bands. 73, Jim K9YC On 6/26/2023 6:49 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: Parametric EQs are much less flexible than a graphical. When it comes to graphical, the RX EQ built into the K3 is much better suited to the job at hand than most of the small 6/7/8 band consumer products that generally have "bands" up to 20 or 40 KHz that are wasted for our purposes. The K3 RX EQ maintains separate settings for SSB and CW. I generally set CW to max cut for 50/100 and -6/10/12 for 1600/2400/3200 (my pitch is ~500 Hz). SSB is set to max cut at 50/100, flat at 200/400/800, +2/4 at 1600/2400 and -8 at 3200 (to roll off a hit of the hiss). Those settings are not as "hard" as some would suggest for TX EQ but seem to help. For phone one could push the 1600/2400 boost a bit but too much boost will do more harm that good. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
I don't understand the knock on SSB. (I'm a few away from Honor Roll on CW so I do that mode too). I haven't operated FD for years, since I've outlived the guys I used to mountain top with and it's to damn hot here in the valley to be in the field. (107F as I write). But looking back some years I operated either 1E or 1D and single-handedly worked 1040 Qs in 2001, 1357 in 2004, 1532 in 2005, 1093 in 2007 and slowed down to 1075 in 2009. All on SSB and 100W. With a regular logging program and no voice recording. You simply have to be nice to the inexperience operators and coach them along. I never have understood the contestor types who get so wound up, frantic and rude. My 2 cents. Wes N7WS On 6/26/2023 7:29 AM, Wilson Lamb via Elecraft wrote: I know it's OT, but want to comment on FD operation here in NC. I wouldn't even consider going on SSB for FD!But our SSB station on 40/15 made over 700 QSO, with several ops of modest experience but sensible people. K3 and double bazooka. They were pleased. I made almost 400 CW QSOs, K3 and 80m dipole/window line/MFJ tuner. I had a 98% success when calling and many replies, often multiples, when running. There were MANY strong signals on 40 and 20 at all hours I was on, so I didn't do 80. Almost all CW was good, partly thanks to computer keying, and I encountered maybe three poor ops, not rude, just inexperienced/unpracticed. I like SK and used it about 30% of the time. I prefer SK for FD, because one can taylor speed/weight style to conditions and other op's experience. There's no reason to expect everyone to deal with 25 WPM from the computer. They all did fine with 15 WPM from the SK, sometimes with the dahs stretched a little. The little rudeness seen was obviously competent ops who couldn't muster the manners to wait their turn. A couple times I had to ignore them several times to ever get my weaker station's exchange! I expect they are the same people who call DX stations when the DX is trying to reply to someone else. Owning a big station and expensive gear IS NOT empowerment to trounce everyone in your way! All in all, one could hardly ask for better conditions and operation. Most, NOT ALL, people who go to the trouble to learn CW seem to pick up some manners along the way! Of course, there are many fine SSB ops, including a couple of our XYLs, but the low bar to entry does cause problems! Perhaps we need a new mode designator, CBSSB? One problem I see is that people have the feeling that a slipshod antenna, or a commercial whizbang/wonderthingy, will get them by. It does, but with many fewer QSOs and more frustration than they could have with a little more work! After 66 years of hamming, I'm becoming fonder of ladder line and window line. The commercial window line has saved my bacon many times and tolerates more poor practice than expected. After some outdoor tuner problems, I gave up "proper" practice and ran my window line under our van and up through the port in the floor, past many other cables, to my little MFJ tuner. It worked very well, as reported above. Yes, I may have lost a dB or two, but the flat top at 65 feet got them back! Besides, there's no connector problem and I can make fine splices in one minute, using a pocket knife and a pair of pliers! I expect a better BALUN would get me a dB back, but the tiny one in the MFJ seems to be fine at 100W. We also had successful K3 digi which were successful, as was our HB BBQ/potluck dinner for 35 ops! End of OT report. Did YOU work W4EZ? Wilson W4BOH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to wes_n...@triconet.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4 Rx is awesome...
The K4/at is a delight to operate anytime; this last weekend it was used in the /Field Day Event/ I ran mine @ 20watts on 40 & 80 meters CW via a wire dipole on a city lot/// / Simple setup with memories programed /~ I/ /had a ball/// Thanks to the hundred that I had exchanges with 73, Jan K1ND PS: At 86 years of age it was fun!// / / -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software. www.avg.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
Jim, K9YC, pointed out the work AT7T labs did to improve intelligibility over the phone lines. Fletcher & Munson did quite a bit of research into this for the military for the same reason. Interesting reads. Setting your radio RX EQ to reflect this would be a good start, if you can. A good product line at a good price. Used his products in the past. Very satisfied. https://w2ihy.com/product-category/equalizers/ BTW, any audio EQ unit can be used for RX and/or TX audio EQ. Audio is audio. --- 73 de W3AB/GEO AFA9GB WA2LSI, KE6RJW, W7B, AAR9AG __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Wilson,Yes, I did work W4EZ. Our club closed down Sunday morning and I went home, put my trusty K3S on the battery and ran a combination of phone and CW for the last three hours of Field Day.Worked W4EZ on 40 phone at 1527 on Sunday73Mike KC8WHSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Original message From: Wilson Lamb via Elecraft Date: 6/26/23 10:30 AM (GMT-05:00) To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation I know it's OT, but want to comment on FD operation here in NC.I wouldn't even consider going on SSB for FD!But our SSB station on 40/15 made over 700 QSO, with several ops of modest experience but sensible people. K3 and double bazooka. They were pleased.I made almost 400 CW QSOs, K3 and 80m dipole/window line/MFJ tuner. I had a 98% success when calling and many replies, often multiples, when running.There were MANY strong signals on 40 and 20 at all hours I was on, so I didn't do 80.Almost all CW was good, partly thanks to computer keying, and I encountered maybe three poor ops, not rude, just inexperienced/unpracticed. I like SK and used it about 30% of the time. I prefer SK for FD, because one can taylor speed/weight style to conditions and other op's experience. There's no reason to expect everyone to deal with 25 WPM from the computer. They all did fine with 15 WPM from the SK, sometimes with the dahs stretched a little.The little rudeness seen was obviously competent ops who couldn't muster the manners to wait their turn.A couple times I had to ignore them several times to ever get my weaker station's exchange! I expect they are the same people who call DX stations when the DX is trying to reply to someone else. Owning a big station and expensive gear IS NOT empowerment to trounce everyone in your way!All in all, one could hardly ask for better conditions and operation. Most, NOT ALL, people who go to the trouble to learn CW seem to pick up some manners along the way! Of course, there are many fine SSB ops, including a couple of our XYLs, but the low bar to entry does cause problems! Perhaps we need a new mode designator, CBSSB?One problem I see is that people have the feeling that a slipshod antenna, or a commercial whizbang/wonderthingy, will get them by. It does, but with many fewer QSOs and more frustration than they could have with a little more work!After 66 years of hamming, I'm becoming fonder of ladder line and window line. The commercial window line has saved my bacon many times and tolerates more poor practice than expected. After some outdoor tuner problems, I gave up "proper" practice and ran my window line under our van and up through the port in the floor, past many other cables, to my little MFJ tuner. It worked very well, as reported above. Yes, I may have lost a dB or two, but the flat top at 65 feet got them back! Besides, there's no connector problem and I can make fine splices in one minute, using a pocket knife and a pair of pliers! I expect a better BALUN would get me a dB back, but the tiny one in the MFJ seems to be fine at 100W.We also had successful K3 digi which were successful, as was our HB BBQ/potluck dinner for 35 ops!End of OT report. Did YOU work W4EZ?WilsonW4BOH__Elecraft mailing listHome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraftHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:elecr...@mailman.qth.netThis list hosted by: http://www.qsl.netPlease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlMessage delivered to kc8wh...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
Richard, If ergonomics is an issue for your "on-the-fly" RX equalizer use, why don't you try button macros to make the equalizers easier to bring up for adjustment? If you have a K-Pod, you could program a couple of its buttons as well. Maybe you can spend that saved $200-300 on something else if you can learn to like the macro buttons. Those outboard solutions are primarily built for rigs that don't have what a K3 has for equalization. Good luck figuring out what works best for you, Bob K5WA Message: 20 Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:05:33 -0400 From: Richard mailto:flat...@comcast.net> > To: Elecraft Reflector mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ Message-ID: mailto:f91ba8a1-d31d-4177-b845-98a44e1e7...@comcast.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. Can you recommend/suggest an outboard equalizer, ideally 8 bands, that can be used to tune the headphone audio only? 1. This unit would be entirely external to the K3s, so its output level would have to be sufficient to drive headphones. 2. This unit would ideally be 9" by 9" maximum and 8" by 5" minimum, dictated by the available placement space in my station. There?s lots of wiggle room here. 3. 12 volts DC is available to power it. 4. An in/out (inline/bypassed) switch is essential. Links to look at would be great. Fingers crossed ? VISA paid up and ready to rock and roll. Cheers Richard Kunc W4KBX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Wayne, I suspect that after the software becomes more stable, and more folks use the K4, it will replace the K3 for DX operations... The question now becomes, will it fit in a RIB setup. DX is changing... 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 6/26/23 07:59, Wayne Burdick wrote: Thanks for your comments, Eric. Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, for the same reasons. 73, Wayne N6KR 2A SCV On Jun 26, 2023, at 7:56 AM, Eric Fitzgerald wrote: Every time I take my K3 out into the field - be it Field Day, POTA, SOTA or grid activations - I marvel at how well designed this transceiver is for portable operation. From the informative display, to the practical power/ALC settings for soundcard digital operation, to the miserly power consumption; this radio shines over all the other rigs I have operated portable. It is a pleasure to operate out of the shack. Thank you Elecraft for devising a machine to match the portable operator's needs. Bravo! Eric KG6MZS 2E LAX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to d...@nk7z.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
I used a kx1, operating FD with emergency power (batteries internal to kx1). I used two sets of batteries. The maximum output was 1.5 watts but after 2.5 hours of operating power output dropped to .5 watts. So, I used another set of fresh batteries to operate a total of 5.5 hours. I made 70 contacts on 20m and 59 on 40m. Of course I have large antennas. However, I was surprised by how well the receiver did using my home-station antennas (yagis)! Dynamic range was not an issue but there was some I-F "blowby," on very strong signals but many dB down from other signals. ...amazing performance for such a simple radio. 73. Will, wj9b CWops #1085 CWA Advisor levels II and III http://cwops.org/ On Monday, June 26, 2023 at 08:59:45 AM MDT, Wayne Burdick wrote: Thanks for your comments, Eric. Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, for the same reasons. 73, Wayne N6KR 2A SCV > On Jun 26, 2023, at 7:56 AM, Eric Fitzgerald wrote: > > Every time I take my K3 out into the field - be it Field Day, POTA, SOTA or > grid activations - I marvel at how well designed this transceiver is for > portable operation. From the informative display, to the practical power/ALC > settings for soundcard digital operation, to the miserly power consumption; > this radio shines over all the other rigs I have operated portable. It is a > pleasure to operate out of the shack. > > Thank you Elecraft for devising a machine to match the portable operator's > needs. > > Bravo! > > Eric > > KG6MZS 2E LAX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to wlba...@bellsouth.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
Regarding "quick on the fly adjustments", I don't view an 8 band EQ as one that would have quick on the fly adjustments. Depending on your choice of sidetone frequency, the selection of RX EQ frequency and amount of attenuate and boost would seem adequate. I agree with what Jim, K9YC, says about this. In order, attenuate first and boost last. There is less phase distortion. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 6/26/2023 8:13 AM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: Message: 20 Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:05:33 -0400 From: Richard To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. Can you recommend/suggest an outboard equalizer, ideally 8 bands, that can be used to tune the headphone audio only? 1. This unit would be entirely external to the K3s, so its output level would have to be sufficient to drive headphones. 2. This unit would ideally be 9" by 9" maximum and 8" by 5" minimum, dictated by the available placement space in my station. There?s lots of wiggle room here. 3. 12 volts DC is available to power it. 4. An in/out (inline/bypassed) switch is essential. Links to look at would be great. Fingers crossed ? VISA paid up and ready to rock and roll. Cheers Richard Kunc W4KBX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Thanks for your comments, Eric. Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, for the same reasons. 73, Wayne N6KR 2A SCV > On Jun 26, 2023, at 7:56 AM, Eric Fitzgerald wrote: > > Every time I take my K3 out into the field - be it Field Day, POTA, SOTA or > grid activations - I marvel at how well designed this transceiver is for > portable operation. From the informative display, to the practical power/ALC > settings for soundcard digital operation, to the miserly power consumption; > this radio shines over all the other rigs I have operated portable. It is a > pleasure to operate out of the shack. > > Thank you Elecraft for devising a machine to match the portable operator's > needs. > > Bravo! > > Eric > > KG6MZS 2E LAX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Every time I take my K3 out into the field - be it Field Day, POTA, SOTA or grid activations - I marvel at how well designed this transceiver is for portable operation. From the informative display, to the practical power/ALC settings for soundcard digital operation, to the miserly power consumption; this radio shines over all the other rigs I have operated portable. It is a pleasure to operate out of the shack. Thank you Elecraft for devising a machine to match the portable operator's needs. Bravo! Eric KG6MZS 2E LAX On 6/26/23 7:29 AM, Wilson Lamb via Elecraft wrote: K3 and double bazooka. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Hi Wilson, Contrats on your successful FD effort. Wayne N6KR > On Jun 26, 2023, at 7:29 AM, Wilson Lamb via Elecraft > wrote: > > I know it's OT, but want to comment on FD operation here in NC. > I wouldn't even consider going on SSB for FD!But our SSB station on 40/15 > made over 700 QSO, with several ops of modest experience but sensible people. > K3 and double bazooka. They were pleased. > I made almost 400 CW QSOs, K3 and 80m dipole/window line/MFJ tuner. > I had a 98% success when calling and many replies, often multiples, when > running. > There were MANY strong signals on 40 and 20 at all hours I was on, so I > didn't do 80. > Almost all CW was good, partly thanks to computer keying, and I encountered > maybe three poor ops, not rude, just inexperienced/unpracticed. I like SK > and used it about 30% of the time. I prefer SK for FD, because one can > taylor speed/weight style to conditions and other op's experience. There's > no reason to expect everyone to deal with 25 WPM from the computer. They all > did fine with 15 WPM from the SK, sometimes with the dahs stretched a little. > The little rudeness seen was obviously competent ops who couldn't muster the > manners to wait their turn. > A couple times I had to ignore them several times to ever get my weaker > station's exchange! I expect they are the same people who call DX stations > when the DX is trying to reply to someone else. Owning a big station and > expensive gear IS NOT empowerment to trounce everyone in your way! > All in all, one could hardly ask for better conditions and operation. Most, > NOT ALL, people who go to the trouble to learn CW seem to pick up some > manners along the way! Of course, there are many fine SSB ops, including a > couple of our XYLs, but the low bar to entry does cause problems! > Perhaps we need a new mode designator, CBSSB? > > > One problem I see is that people have the feeling that a slipshod antenna, or > a commercial whizbang/wonderthingy, will get them by. It does, but with many > fewer QSOs and more frustration than they could have with a little more work! > After 66 years of hamming, I'm becoming fonder of ladder line and window > line. The commercial window line has saved my bacon many times and tolerates > more poor practice than expected. After some outdoor tuner problems, I gave > up "proper" practice and ran my window line under our van and up through the > port in the floor, past many other cables, to my little MFJ tuner. It worked > very well, as reported above. Yes, I may have lost a dB or two, but the flat > top at 65 feet got them back! Besides, there's no connector problem and I > can make fine splices in one minute, using a pocket knife and a pair of > pliers! I expect a better BALUN would get me a dB back, but the tiny one in > the MFJ seems to be fine at 100W. > > > We also had successful K3 digi which were successful, as was our HB > BBQ/potluck dinner for 35 ops! > > > End of OT report. Did YOU work W4EZ? > > > Wilson > W4BOH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Field Day Operation
I know it's OT, but want to comment on FD operation here in NC. I wouldn't even consider going on SSB for FD!But our SSB station on 40/15 made over 700 QSO, with several ops of modest experience but sensible people. K3 and double bazooka. They were pleased. I made almost 400 CW QSOs, K3 and 80m dipole/window line/MFJ tuner. I had a 98% success when calling and many replies, often multiples, when running. There were MANY strong signals on 40 and 20 at all hours I was on, so I didn't do 80. Almost all CW was good, partly thanks to computer keying, and I encountered maybe three poor ops, not rude, just inexperienced/unpracticed. I like SK and used it about 30% of the time. I prefer SK for FD, because one can taylor speed/weight style to conditions and other op's experience. There's no reason to expect everyone to deal with 25 WPM from the computer. They all did fine with 15 WPM from the SK, sometimes with the dahs stretched a little. The little rudeness seen was obviously competent ops who couldn't muster the manners to wait their turn. A couple times I had to ignore them several times to ever get my weaker station's exchange! I expect they are the same people who call DX stations when the DX is trying to reply to someone else. Owning a big station and expensive gear IS NOT empowerment to trounce everyone in your way! All in all, one could hardly ask for better conditions and operation. Most, NOT ALL, people who go to the trouble to learn CW seem to pick up some manners along the way! Of course, there are many fine SSB ops, including a couple of our XYLs, but the low bar to entry does cause problems! Perhaps we need a new mode designator, CBSSB? One problem I see is that people have the feeling that a slipshod antenna, or a commercial whizbang/wonderthingy, will get them by. It does, but with many fewer QSOs and more frustration than they could have with a little more work! After 66 years of hamming, I'm becoming fonder of ladder line and window line. The commercial window line has saved my bacon many times and tolerates more poor practice than expected. After some outdoor tuner problems, I gave up "proper" practice and ran my window line under our van and up through the port in the floor, past many other cables, to my little MFJ tuner. It worked very well, as reported above. Yes, I may have lost a dB or two, but the flat top at 65 feet got them back! Besides, there's no connector problem and I can make fine splices in one minute, using a pocket knife and a pair of pliers! I expect a better BALUN would get me a dB back, but the tiny one in the MFJ seems to be fine at 100W. We also had successful K3 digi which were successful, as was our HB BBQ/potluck dinner for 35 ops! End of OT report. Did YOU work W4EZ? Wilson W4BOH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
Parametric EQs are much less flexible than a graphical. When it comes to graphical, the RX EQ built into the K3 is much better suited to the job at hand than most of the small 6/7/8 band consumer products that generally have "bands" up to 20 or 40 KHz that are wasted for our purposes. The K3 RX EQ maintains separate settings for SSB and CW. I generally set CW to max cut for 50/100 and -6/10/12 for 1600/2400/3200 (my pitch is ~500 Hz). SSB is set to max cut at 50/100, flat at 200/400/800, +2/4 at 1600/2400 and -8 at 3200 (to roll off a hit of the hiss). Those settings are not as "hard" as some would suggest for TX EQ but seem to help. For phone one could push the 1600/2400 boost a bit but too much boost will do more harm that good. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 6/26/2023 9:17 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Here's a receive equalizer: https://bhi-ltd.com/products/noise-cancellation-products/parapro-eq20-audio-dsp-range/1-parapro-eq20-dsp.html Gigaparts and DX Engineering are two US dealers for this UK-based company. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 09:13, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: My apologies. The equalizers linked to below are for TRANSMIT, not receive. That's what I get for not reading thoroughly before hitting the 'send' button. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 09:10, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Richard, While reading your inquiry below, I was reminded of this: https://w2ihy.com/product-category/equalizers/ I've never used one, but I've seen their booth at many prior Dayton Hamventions, so I guess they've been in business for a while, is saying a lot for many ham-related business these days. Hope this helps. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 02:05, Richard wrote: I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. Can you recommend/suggest an outboard equalizer, ideally 8 bands, that can be used to tune the headphone audio only? 1. This unit would be entirely external to the K3s, so its output level would have to be sufficient to drive headphones. 2. This unit would ideally be 9" by 9" maximum and 8" by 5" minimum, dictated by the available placement space in my station. There’s lots of wiggle room here. 3. 12 volts DC is available to power it. 4. An in/out (inline/bypassed) switch is essential. Links to look at would be great. Fingers crossed … VISA paid up and ready to rock and roll. Cheers Richard Kunc W4KBX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
I understand the desire for an 8 band eq. These seem to have fallen by the wayside except for some dedicated stereo rack mounted stuff. Parametric eq is available on most small 4-8ch mixer/mic pre units like my little Behringer I use it for headphone audio line out and it has a built in headphone monitor. But it is parametric not octave eq. On Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 2:07 AM Richard wrote: > I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio > for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in > function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. > > Can you recommend/suggest an outboard equalizer, ideally 8 bands, that can > be used to tune the headphone audio only? > > 1. This unit would be entirely external to the K3s, so its output level > would have to be sufficient to drive headphones. > > 2. This unit would ideally be 9" by 9" maximum and 8" by 5" minimum, > dictated by the available placement space in my station. There’s lots of > wiggle room here. > > 3. 12 volts DC is available to power it. > > 4. An in/out (inline/bypassed) switch is essential. > > Links to look at would be great. > > Fingers crossed … VISA paid up and ready to rock and roll. > > Cheers > > Richard Kunc > W4KBX > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to radio.k...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
You might look at the Heil rx eq system Curt KU8L On Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 2:07 AM Richard wrote: > I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio > for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in > function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. > > Can you recommend/suggest an outboard equalizer, ideally 8 bands, that can > be used to tune the headphone audio only? > > 1. This unit would be entirely external to the K3s, so its output level > would have to be sufficient to drive headphones. > > 2. This unit would ideally be 9" by 9" maximum and 8" by 5" minimum, > dictated by the available placement space in my station. There’s lots of > wiggle room here. > > 3. 12 volts DC is available to power it. > > 4. An in/out (inline/bypassed) switch is essential. > > Links to look at would be great. > > Fingers crossed … VISA paid up and ready to rock and roll. > > Cheers > > Richard Kunc > W4KBX > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to radio.k...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
Here's a receive equalizer: https://bhi-ltd.com/products/noise-cancellation-products/parapro-eq20-audio-dsp-range/1-parapro-eq20-dsp.html Gigaparts and DX Engineering are two US dealers for this UK-based company. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 09:13, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: My apologies. The equalizers linked to below are for TRANSMIT, not receive. That's what I get for not reading thoroughly before hitting the 'send' button. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 09:10, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Richard, While reading your inquiry below, I was reminded of this: https://w2ihy.com/product-category/equalizers/ I've never used one, but I've seen their booth at many prior Dayton Hamventions, so I guess they've been in business for a while, is saying a lot for many ham-related business these days. Hope this helps. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 02:05, Richard wrote: I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. Can you recommend/suggest an outboard equalizer, ideally 8 bands, that can be used to tune the headphone audio only? 1. This unit would be entirely external to the K3s, so its output level would have to be sufficient to drive headphones. 2. This unit would ideally be 9" by 9" maximum and 8" by 5" minimum, dictated by the available placement space in my station. There’s lots of wiggle room here. 3. 12 volts DC is available to power it. 4. An in/out (inline/bypassed) switch is essential. Links to look at would be great. Fingers crossed … VISA paid up and ready to rock and roll. Cheers Richard Kunc W4KBX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to n8...@densbe.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to n8...@densbe.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to n8...@densbe.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
My apologies. The equalizers linked to below are for TRANSMIT, not receive. That's what I get for not reading thoroughly before hitting the 'send' button. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 09:10, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Richard, While reading your inquiry below, I was reminded of this: https://w2ihy.com/product-category/equalizers/ I've never used one, but I've seen their booth at many prior Dayton Hamventions, so I guess they've been in business for a while, is saying a lot for many ham-related business these days. Hope this helps. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 02:05, Richard wrote: I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. Can you recommend/suggest an outboard equalizer, ideally 8 bands, that can be used to tune the headphone audio only? 1. This unit would be entirely external to the K3s, so its output level would have to be sufficient to drive headphones. 2. This unit would ideally be 9" by 9" maximum and 8" by 5" minimum, dictated by the available placement space in my station. There’s lots of wiggle room here. 3. 12 volts DC is available to power it. 4. An in/out (inline/bypassed) switch is essential. Links to look at would be great. Fingers crossed … VISA paid up and ready to rock and roll. Cheers Richard Kunc W4KBX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to n8...@densbe.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to n8...@densbe.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
Richard, While reading your inquiry below, I was reminded of this: https://w2ihy.com/product-category/equalizers/ I've never used one, but I've seen their booth at many prior Dayton Hamventions, so I guess they've been in business for a while, is saying a lot for many ham-related business these days. Hope this helps. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 02:05, Richard wrote: I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. Can you recommend/suggest an outboard equalizer, ideally 8 bands, that can be used to tune the headphone audio only? 1. This unit would be entirely external to the K3s, so its output level would have to be sufficient to drive headphones. 2. This unit would ideally be 9" by 9" maximum and 8" by 5" minimum, dictated by the available placement space in my station. There’s lots of wiggle room here. 3. 12 volts DC is available to power it. 4. An in/out (inline/bypassed) switch is essential. Links to look at would be great. Fingers crossed … VISA paid up and ready to rock and roll. Cheers Richard Kunc W4KBX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to n8...@densbe.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
On 6/25/2023 11:05 PM, Richard wrote: I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. There are only 2 possibilities for best readability -- one for CW, which is to cut the bands away from where you like the Pitch, the other for Voice modes, which is max cut for the three lowest bands, 6 dB cut of the fourth (400 Hz center), and 3-6 dB boost of the two top bands. This favors the part of the spectrum that makes the greatest contribution to speech intelligibility and minimizes that parts (below 400 Hz) that don't. This is nothing new -- AT Bell Labs, probably the greatest engineering institution on the planet for most of the 20th century, figured out the science of this in the earliest days of telephony. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K3s Receive EQ
I love my K3s, warts and all, but I want a way to tailor incoming audio for better readability in special cases. Yes, I know about the built-in function, but that's hardly comfortable for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. Can you recommend/suggest an outboard equalizer, ideally 8 bands, that can be used to tune the headphone audio only? 1. This unit would be entirely external to the K3s, so its output level would have to be sufficient to drive headphones. 2. This unit would ideally be 9" by 9" maximum and 8" by 5" minimum, dictated by the available placement space in my station. There’s lots of wiggle room here. 3. 12 volts DC is available to power it. 4. An in/out (inline/bypassed) switch is essential. Links to look at would be great. Fingers crossed … VISA paid up and ready to rock and roll. Cheers Richard Kunc W4KBX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
